Zoning Ordinance Packet It’s important, whenever possible, to take the initiative to approach your city’s zoning council BEFORE you move in or bring a pet pig into the home. Once you have been found to be in violation of the law, it will be more difficult to convince the officials. That being said, it is never too late to take a stand for your pet. Be the voice. 1. If you already own a pet pig, make sure s/he is spayed/neutered, current on regular veterinary care, and housed responsibly with proper shelter and a fenced in yard or leashed while outside. 2. Read your city’s zoning ordinance carefully to understand exactly what is and isn’t allowed. Use this information to build your case to challenge the current ordinance. 3. Gather as much support and supportive documents as possible (listed below). 4. Contact your city. Tell them you would like to file an official request for an amendment in the zoning ordinance regarding mini pigs as pets. This part seems to vary from city to city. Some individuals have set this up through the City Secretary, the City Administrator, the City Manager, City Zoning and Planning Committee, or directly with City Council. Ask your point of contact to walk you through the steps required. They should schedule a meeting with City Council to review your proposal. Make sure are fully prepared before the set date! 5. Once City Council reviews your proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance, they will either approve or deny the change. If it is approved, you have won! Please share your story to be featured on the American Mini Pig Association website. Email your story, a photo of your pig, and any documentation you used to amend your city’s zoning to [email protected]. If the amendment is denied, ask for specific reasons why it was denied. Use this information to reassess your approach and strengthen your presentation. Supporting Documents and Other Support The following may be useful in your proposal to change a city’s zoning ordinance regarding keeping mini pigs as pets. Every proposal is different, every ordinance code is different, and every City Council is different. There is not a single approach that will work for all, and not every case will be won. The best you can do is put your heart into it and show them how much these special pets mean to you. Show them how your pig has changed your life and show them how responsible pet ownership will not burden or affect the neighborhood but will instead be an asset. 1. Use this packet courtesy of the American Mini Pig Association. 2. Print out The Facts of Mini Pigs As Pets courtesy of the American Mini Pig Association. 3. Register your mini pig as a pet at the American Mini Pig Association. Present your registration certificate in your proposal. 4. Gather letters of support from members of the community. Fellow pig parents, neighbors, professionals in the community, your veterinarian, animal trainers, and anyone else you can think of. If you have visited hospitals, schools, libraries, nursing homes, or any other community event, ask for letters of recommendation from those individuals as well. 5. Write a personal statement or short letter explaining why owning a pet pig is important to you. 6. If your pig is a registered Therapy Pet through a recognized organization such as your local Humane Society or the nationwide organization Pet Partners, include the paperwork and ask for a letter of recommendation. 7. If your pig is an Emotional Support Animal, include your letter of prescription from your doctor. 8. Gather & compile nearby city ordinances that allow pet pigs. 9. Gather and compile photos of your mini pig enjoying life as a beloved pet. 10. Record video of your mini pig doing tricks, following commands, or interacting with people. 11. Start a Change.org petition and ask all your friends, family, and fellow pig owners to sign in support. 12. Gather and compiled statistics of your city and neighboring cities of yearly dog bites vs yearly pet pig bites. 13. Visit Pet Pig Zone website and contact Rebecca DiNolfi, the pet pig zoning expert. 14. Contact a local attorney for help. Date: Dear City Council Members, Thank you for taking time to review this packet. I have included information about mini pigs as pets, examples of other city ordinances regarding pigs as pets, statements from friend, family, and neighbors. A petition was share and we received _______signatures of support. The statistics of dog complaints and bites vs. mini pig complaints for our city. The federal definition of livestock, facts of owning a mini pig as a pet, and a letter from my vet. My pigs AMPA pet registration certificate, as well as letters of support from the American Mini Pig Association and American Mini Pig Rescue. I hope the information will help clarify what makes a mini pig a pet and why they are so incredibly loved as such. So a little bit about me……. A little bit about my pig…… With the popularity of these pets growing every year the ordinance change can encourage responsible pet pig ownership. It may prevent zoning violations that result in pigs being removed and landing in local shelters. These intelligent, sensitive animals do make extraordinary members of the family. Thank you for your time, Dear Sir/Ma’am, I am writing today to ask your city to consider an amendment to your animal zoning ordinances to allow pet mini pigs to live with their families. The American Mini Pig Rescue Advocates is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and advocating for pet mini pigs. Unfortunately, there has been a huge increase of pet pigs losing their homes due to outdated zoning ordinances. We ask you to join the many cities across the nation that have updated these ordinances to reflect the pet market of today while reducing unnecessary displacement and abandonment of pet mini pigs. Many city ordinances across the nation were written prior to 1986 when Vietnamese Potbelly Pigs were first sold into the pet market in the United States. These original potbelly pigs averaged 250 pounds which were comparatively miniature to the 600-1,500 pound domestic swine that are raised as livestock. Today’s mini pigs, as recognized and registered by the American Mini Pig Association, are a mix of several smaller breeds. These mixed mini pigs are referred to as American Mini Pigs, averaging 12-18 inches in height and 50 to 150 lbs. at maturity. These pet pigs have different temperament, genetics, size, and purpose from the large commercial farm pigs. American Mini Pigs are housed as pet animals, just like a dog or cat. They receive the same standard of veterinary care, training, healthy foods, and comfortable accommodations. Mini pigs often accompany their families on vacations or shopping trips. If your city has any questions or concerns regarding allowing mini pigs as pets in your zoning ordinances, please contact us. We would be glad to help dispel the many myths and misconceptions of these wonderful pets. Thank you for your consideration, Stephanie Matlock American Mini Pig Rescue, President [email protected] References: http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/swine/vietnamesepotbelly www.americanminipigassociation.com and www.americanminipigrescue.com To Whom It May Concern, The American Mini Pig Association would like to thank you for taking the time to consider amending your zoning ordinance to allow pet mini pigs to live with their owners. Mini pig families are very passionate and dedicated to these pets. On behalf of the American Mini Pig Association, I would like to formally recommend an amendment to your city’s animal ordinance to allow mini pigs. This amendment may include the same regulations that are set forth for dogs or cats to encourage responsible ownership, including a pet limit per household, appropriate veterinary care, leash law, and/or registration. Please see supporting document “The Facts of Owning Pigs As Pets” to dispel many common misconceptions about these cherished pets. Mini pigs are intelligent and sensitive pets. It causes a great hardship for the families to be separated from the pets they are bonded to. In addition, this separation due to zoning often results in displacing animals that end up putting a burden on local animal shelters or worse. These pets have great potential to increase welfare in the community as registered Therapy Animals volunteering at schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and other community centers, or as Emotional Support Animals to help their owners at home through difficult times. The AMPA has a blog series dedicated to Mini Pig Heroes in the community showcasing the benefits they have brought to the people of their city. The American Mini Pig Association has created a nationwide registry to document verifiable information on these mini pigs such as age, size, health, track pedigrees, promote responsible breeder, ownership, and veterinary care. AMPA Registered Breeders are required to follow a strict code of ethics. They must prove age and size of their mini pigs. These steps will ensure that consumers are not victims of fraud or deceived on size of their new pets. AMPA Registered mini pigs will have an official certificate verifying their pet status. Visit the American Mini Pig Association website to learn the facts of mini pigs as pets. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us. We would be more than happy to discuss any issues your city may have. www.americanminipigassocation.com Sincerely, Kimberly Chronister American Mini Pig Association, Vice President [email protected] www.AmericanMiniPigAssociation.com _____________________________________________________________________ To whom it may concern: We are writing in regards to the inclusion of mini pigs as pets in city animal ordinances.